The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of things on their offseason to-do list. One of those things is finding a way to upgrade a rushing attack that was non-existent in the Super Bowl. Part of that improvement needs to come through offensive line and playcalling, but the Chiefs could also use an upgrade at the running back position itself. Thankfully, the 2025 running back class is one of the strongest we have seen in years.
I've already written up Chiefs-specific scouting reports for Ashton Jeanty, the top back in this class, and TreVeyon Henderson, a personal favorite of mine. You can also read Price Carter's excellent profile of Omarion Hampton, who is the only other running back (besides Jeanty and Henderson) that I think Brett Veach should even consider at pick #31.
While the order of the top five running backs varies from person to person, the other name you see listed alongside those three backs I just mentioned is Iowa's Kaleb Johnson.
Kaleb Johnson - 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Age: 21 (when drafted)
Height: 6-0 (unofficial)
Weight: 225 lbs. (unofficial)
Kaleb Johnson's Running Style
As opposed to starting with Johnson's strengths and weaknesses, it makes the most sense to explain his specific running style for those who may not have watched him. Johnson is a big-bodied back who moves smoothly and has good acceleration through rushing lanes. He's a patient runner with good vision, sifting through blockers and defenders to find a hole to hit. When he finds a hole, he gets forward quickly, and once he has momentum, the only players quick enough to catch him have trouble bringing down a player of his stature.
Johnson's running style can be both a strength and a weakness, depending on how the play unfolds in front of him. His patience and vision allow him to find openings that other large-bodied backs would miss if they simply powered straight ahead into the line, looking to push the pile forward for positive yards. Combine that with a nice initial burst, and that's why Johnson is able to get to the second level so often. However, if an opening doesn't materialize, Johnson can't take full advantage of his size and strength because he doesn't have enough forward momentum as defenders close around him.
Kaleb Johnson's Weaknesses
While Johnson does have a nice initial burst, his top speed isn't special. The impressive number of long runs he had in college was mostly due to his vision, patience, and burst, as described above, combined with a good blocking offensive line (and tight ends) and the fact that he was simply too big for most college defensive backs to take down in the open field. In the NFL, Johnson won't run away from defenders on a regular basis.
While Johnson is a very smooth runner for a back his size, he doesn't have elite change of direction. Typically, you see him kind of slalom around defenders as opposed to making quick, sharp cuts. He's a little Derrick Henry-esque in the way he tries to keep his momentum moving forward while leaning away from contact. This works well when there's an opening to move forward, but it isn't as effective when the defense has the play clamped down. This may be an obvious statement, but I really think Johnson could be an elite back if he goes to a team built to run the ball, though he could struggle if he goes to a bad team with a poor offensive line.
Finally, Johnson is solid but not great on passing downs. He has soft hands for a bigger back but isn't much of a route runner. He's willing in pass protection and certainly has the size to take on defenders, but his technique and execution likely won't keep him on the field on third downs—at least early in his career.
Kaleb Johnson's Strengths
Johnson possesses an unusual combination of size, patience, vision, and burst that can make him an above-average feature running back from day one in the NFL. There were times when watching him that I got flashes of Le'Veon Bell. Bell was a good-sized back as well but was famous for his patience in finding openings. Johnson isn't quite on that level (Bell had better change of direction), but there is a similarity in style. I also think Johnson may be harder to bring down once he gets going forward than Bell was.
It should also be noted that while Johnson got excellent blocking at Iowa, he also got very little help from the passing game. Iowa has really struggled to throw the ball recently, so defenses were primarily focused on stopping Johnson, and Pro Football Focus still had him 3rd in runs of 15+ yards last season. I don't care how good your blocking is, that's impressive. If Johnson can go to an NFL team that has a more balanced attack, he should be able to consistently find holes and make defenses pay.
Finally, Johnson is a true workhorse back. Not only can he handle a heavy workload, but he also seems to thrive when he gets regular carries. If a team is looking for a back they can give 20 carries a game to each and every week, Johnson fits that bill.
Does Kaleb Johnson make sense for the Chiefs?
While I really like Kaleb Johnson as a player and think there are things about him that would be a huge help for the Chiefs, I am struggling a little with the fit. I mentioned that Johnson is great at being patient and finding the holes that open up, but recently, the Chiefs' offensive line hasn't done a great job of creating those lanes. I also mentioned that Johnson thrives on the rhythm of a consistent workload, but the Chiefs often go for long stretches without featuring their top runner.
Johnson ran a lot of zone at Iowa, which could make him appealing to the Chiefs, but I worry that they wouldn't be able to take full advantage of his best traits without more of a commitment to the run game—both in how their line is built and in play-calling. While I would like to see them make more of a commitment in that area, I just don't know if I see an Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes offense changing enough to make drafting Johnson in the first couple of rounds worth it, especially if they would take him off the field on clear passing downs.
I think highly enough of Johnson that I don't believe that he'll be available when the Chiefs pick at the end of the second round. Dane Brugler of the Athletic has him at #35 on his big board. He is #59 on the Pro Football Focus big board and #40 on the Arrowhead Addict big board. So the Chiefs would either have to draft Johnson in the first or trade up in the second round to secure him. I just don't know if that makes sense unless the Chiefs are making a big shift in their offensive identity. At the same time, if a team committed to running the ball drafted Johnson in the top 40 picks it would make perfect sense to me.
So what do you think, Chiefs fans? Would you like to see the Chiefs take a back like Kaleb Johnson and make more of a commitment to the run game? I'd be thrilled if he fell to KC at the end of round two, but would you be willing to trade up in the second round to get him? I believe Johnson has a strong chance to be an above-average starting running back for some team next season—I'm just not sure if I see that team being the Chiefs.
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